[Tips-n-Bits]: Understanding Vaastu; and a few vaastu tips for home and commercial spaces

"Vaastu", as we commonly know this terminology in its short form as, has been derived from the original Sanskrit word "Vāstu Śāstra" or more commonly "Vaastu Shastra".
The Wikipedia defines Vaastu as:

"an ancient Vedic science of layout planning of buildings that is said to be influencing peace and prosperity of the inhabitants by dealing with the management of cosmic energy in Building & Structures. The principles of Vaastu Shastra extend from the macro level to the micro level- site selection, site planning and orientation, zoning and disposition of rooms, proportional relationships between the various parts of buildings and the character of buildings."

Quoting Wikipedia text again to explain to our readers (for the simple reason of it being an authenticated compilation of simple and multi-contributed as well as thoroughly analyzed inputs from numerous contributors and scholars),

"Vaastu is the science of direction and architecture that combines all the five elements of nature and balances them with the man and the material. Vaastu Shastra is creating a congenial settings or a place to live or work, in most scientific way taking advantages of the benefits bestowed by the five elements called “Pancha Maha Bhootas” of the nature thereby paving the way for enhanced health, wealth, prosperity and happiness in an enlightened environment.

The world comprises five basic elements, also known as the Panchbhootas. They are Earth, Water, Air, FireandSpace.There is an invisible and constant relation between all the five elements. Thus, the man can improve his conditions by properly designing his buildings by understanding the effectiveness of these five natural forces.

In modern times, the knowledge of house building technology has grown so vast, that it has been branched off into special fields such as architecture, engineering and Interior decoration. Architecture deals with the Internal comfort and external beauty, Civil engineering deals with the structural stability but Vaastu provides with the knowledge to be adopted in building a house so as to make the native happy, healthy and prosperous. Vaastu principles are applicable to individual residential houses , industry, educational institutions, commercial complexes, theaters, hospitals, churches, etc. If colonies, villages and cities are planned on its principles, it is said that they will all be very prosperous. To understand Vaastu all one needs is a little knowledge about Astronomy. We know that our earth, while moving around the sun, continues to spin on its own axis with a tilt of 23.5 degrees. While spinning, the earth moves from West to East. You will observe that car is designed in such a way that its front part is kept lower than the rear part, to enable it to overcome the wind resistance when in speed. Similarly the nose part of the plane and rocket are kept tapering forward. Since our earth is moving from West to East, if your building is lower on the East and higher on the West, only then it will be able to withstand the resistance of winds easily and get filled with positive energy from North-East, leading to peace and prosperity of the inhabitants. Thus a clear understanding of the principles of science can help you to delve into the true meaning of Vaastu Shastra and reap its benefits."

Having understood the basics of Vaastu, the readers of this post might want 'team:bricks-n-mortar' to enumerate a few basic and most sought-after Vaastu tips for home and commercial spaces.A few of these tips are listed below for quick reference. It should however be understood that these are only a few of the ideal-condition considerations. The whole snapshot of a particular property or living place may depend upon several related combinations and factors.

A plot with all four corners as 90 degrees to each other is always better than one having oblique or skewed sides.

A plot with at least two sides open to a park or road should be preferred rather than one closed from all sides.

The open space left in North and East should be more than South and West.

A house should be designed in such a way so that there is maximum entry of sunlight and proper cross ventilation.

The maximum construction should be done in South, West and South-West portion of the plot.

A pond or a water body should be placed in North-East corner of the house.

A house should ideally be not constructed over a filled up water body, like a well, pond, etc.

The hearth or oven must be arranged in Eastern or South-East directions of the house in such a way that the person cooking faces the East.

Trees of any kind should not ideally be grown in Eastern, Northern and North-East directions.

Only small plants should be grown in North, East and North-East directions.

Shadow of a Banyan (peepal) tree should not fall on the house.

Pictures of any war scenes, demons, portraits in anger should not be placed in the house.

The slope of the property should be from West to East or South to North.

The best direction for master bedroom construction is South-West. South-East direction is not right for bedroom purpose.

If a bedroom need to be constructed in the North-West direction, then prefer using it as a guest room or as a room for daughters.

For constructing children room, West or North is the perfect direction.

The children study tables should be placed in the Northern or Eastern corner of the room.

The beds should be so placed that sleeping with one's head facing North side of the room be avoided.

Green color is recommended to be used for wall painting in the study room as it enhances intelligence.

For prayer room, yellow or sandal wall color is just perfect.

For placing TV or computer in the living room, South-East corner is just right.

For ensuring peace in the house, the main bedroom should be constructed in the South direction.

While sleeping, make sure that everyone sleeps with his or her head pointing towards the South corner. North direction should be completely avoided, as it acts as a source of nightmares and disturbed sleep.

Avoid placing the divine idols in the bedroom.

For constructing the master bedroom, South-West direction is just perfect. Other bedrooms can be constructed on the Eastern or Northern side of the master bedroom.

A married couple should not use East direction bedroom. There is no problem if a child uses such a room.

Bed can be placed in the South-West corner.

It is better to avoid placing the mirror just on the opposite side of the bed especially in children room.

Don't place the furniture sticking to the wall, as it obstructs the flow of positive energy.

The study desk should be placed in such a manner that the child faces Eastern, Northern or North-Eastern corner while studying. East is the most appropriate direction, as it paves way for enhanced concentration.

Avoid placing the electronic gadgets like TV and Computer in the kids' bedroom. But still if you wish to install one, then for computer, the right place is South-East corner and North-West corner for TV.

The North direction is ideal for the construction of a drawing room.

Southern and Western corners of the room are perfect for placing the furniture.

The perfect place for placing sofa lies in North-West.

TV can be kept in the South-East direction while the showcase, cupboards, almirahs in the South-West corner.

Seating arrangement for the guests should be done in such a manner that the guests face Southern or Western direction.

Center table can be in the shape of square, rectangle or even round.

Avoid placing L shape sofa in your drawing room.

The ideal location for the construction of dining room is the West portion of the house.

Construction should be done in such a manner that the dining room and kitchen both are on the same floor, lying adjacent to each other.

Square or rectangle shape dining table is just perfect for the room.

Dining table should not be sticking to the wall.

If you want to place a fridge in the dining room, then South-East direction would be just apt.

If you want to make provision for the fitting of washbasin in your dining room, then the right place would be either Eastern or Northern corner.

The ideal place for the location of kitchen is the South-East corner. An alternative choice can be the North-West corner of the house.

The ideal location for kitchen are Northeast, mid-north, mid-west, southwest mid-south or the center.

Make sure that the cooking platform does not touch Eastern or Northern side wall.

The best direction for cooking is facing East, as this direction is considered to be auspicious.

No shelf should be placed above the cooking platform.

Refrigerator can be placed on the North-West corner in the kitchen.

While constructing the kitchen, make adequate provision for cross ventilation.

For bathroom construction, the most appropriate location lies in the Eastern portion of the house.

As a part of Vaastu remedies for bathroom, it is suggested that the geyser should be placed in the Southeast corner.

Drainage system should be in the northeast direction. Therefore, it is advised that the taps and showers should be fixed on the Northern side.

As per Vaastu for bathroom, the door should not be in the South-West direction of the bathroom.

For keeping the washing machine, the suitable directions are South-East and North-West.

Bathtub can be placed on the west side.

For parking purpose, North-East side should be used.

The drainage system for commercial buildings should be towards the North-East direction.

While constructing the doors, make sure that the main gate is higher than other doors.

If you wish to construct a storeroom for the office, then choose Southern or Western portion of the plot for this purpose.

Make adequate provision for sunlight and proper cross ventilation system

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